🛡️ netzmeldung.com
DE
Risk: Elevated

Bicycle bargains online? Beware of fake shops!

Category: Fake shops · Published: 25/08/2026 · Last updated: 25/08/2026

Summary

What is this about? Attention bike fans: Fake online shops are active on the internet, offering e-bikes, city bikes, and mountain bikes at particularly low prices – for example the site ebikeprofi24.de. Anyone who orders there and pays by bank transfer usually receives no goods, because the alleged Ebikeprofi24 GmbH does not even exist. The scammers pocket the money without ever delivering a bicycle.
Who is affected? Consumers in Germany.
How high is the risk? Elevated

Why is this warning issued?

This warning has been included because it is based on a report from Watchlist Internet. It is intended to protect other users from this scam method. The assessed risk is elevated.

How the scam works

  • Scammers set up a professional-looking shop website focused on bicycles and e-bikes (example: ebikeprofi24.de).
  • The offers are promoted via search engines or social media with particularly low prices.
  • Interested parties select a bike and place an order in the shop.
  • During the checkout process, various payment methods are displayed – but in reality, only payment by prepayment via bank transfer actually works.
  • After the transfer, the money is collected by the scammers.
  • The promised goods are not delivered, and the supposed shop disappears or no longer responds to inquiries.

How to recognise it

  • Prices significantly below market level – the offered bicycles are around 15% cheaper than at reputable providers (e.g., a model for 910 euros instead of 1,199 euros).
  • The stated company does not exist – in the specific case, 'Ebikeprofi24 GmbH' cannot be found.
  • The company details listed in the legal notice do not withstand verification.
  • Various payment methods are advertised on the website, but in the end only a transfer to a bank account remains.
  • Bait offers for a large selection of city bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes at conspicuously low prices.
  • Prepayment as the only payment method
  • Unrealistically low prices on branded goods
  • Missing or defective legal notice

How to protect yourself

  • Compare prices before buying, for example on idealo.at or geizhals.at – if an offer is unrealistically cheap, caution is advised.
  • Carefully check the legal notice and the stated company details (e.g., in the commercial register or by searching for the company name).
  • If in the end only prepayment by bank transfer is possible: do not order there.
  • If a transfer has already been made, inform the bank immediately and ask whether the payment can still be stopped or reversed.
  • Secure and keep the order confirmation, payment receipt, emails, and screenshots of the website.
  • File a report with the police and also contact the consumer advice center.

What you should never do

  • Do not fall for a supposed bargain just because the price seems particularly tempting.
  • Do not pay by prepayment/bank transfer if other payment methods are advertised but not functional.
  • Do not fail to secure evidence – keep all documents related to the order.
  • Do not simply send additional money if the shop subsequently requests further payments.
  • Do not try to recover the money on your own – instead, involve the bank and the police.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay if I have already ordered?

You should definitely not pay an alleged invoice without checking it. First check whether the shop is reputable (Does the company exist? Is only prepayment possible?), and if in doubt, contact your bank or the consumer advice center.

What happens if I do not respond?

If you have already made a transfer, nothing happens at first – but your money is usually gone. Still respond immediately: inform the bank, secure evidence, and file a report with the police.

Where did the scammers get my data?

This often cannot be determined exactly. Data may come from old data breaches, be collected via advertising on the internet, or be passed on from other sources.

How do I recognize a fake shop?

Watch out for missing or incorrect company details, unrealistically low prices, and the fact that only prepayment is possible in the end. Comparing prices on comparison sites helps identify bait offers.

Can I get my money back?

For transfers that have already been executed, the chances of a refund are unfortunately low. Still inform the bank immediately – sometimes the payment can still be stopped or reversed.

Affected data

Scam type
Fake-Shop

Comments

No comments yet. Registered users can share their experiences.

Related warnings

Original source

Find more information in the original source.

Watchlist Internet ↗

Update history

  • 25/08/2026Warning added from an official source